For Sale at Auction: 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR in Carmel, California

Chassis No. WDDAJ76F56M000945

Unveiled in 2003 as a joint undertaking between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, the SLR McLaren was conceived as a modern Gran Turismo built on a foundation of Formula One engineering. The project married Mercedes-Benz's tradition of elegant high-performance coupes with the motorsport expertise of one of grand prix racing's most successful constructors, a partnership formalized as Team McLaren Mercedes and backed by well over a hundred grand prix victories between the two companies by the time the SLR reached production.

That pedigree shows throughout the car's design. Its long, sculpted bonnet and compact tail draw directly from the 1955 300 SLR "Uhlenhaut Coupe," the two prototype road cars built from Mercedes-Benz's championship-winning 300 SLR racer and named for engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut. The arrow-shaped nose and twin aerofoils, meanwhile, trace their lineage to McLaren's grand prix cars. Every visible element was put to functional use rather than decorative effect-a philosophy carried through to a carbon fiber composite monocoque that delivered the rigidity and low mass expected of a vehicle engineered by a Formula One constructor. Most distinctive among the SLR's details are its forward-swinging scissor doors. They offered a contemporary solution to the wide door sills demanded by the car's construction, while also paying clear tribute to the gullwing doors of the original 300 SL a half-century earlier.

Power came from a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 developed by Mercedes-AMG, producing 626 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque available from just 3,200 rpm, enough to send the SLR from zero-to-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, on to 125 mph in 10.6 seconds, and ultimately to a top speed of 208 mph. A five-speed AMG Speedshift R automatic transmission with three manual modes managed that output, while a sophisticated, intercooled air intake system positioned behind the front spoiler and dry sump lubrication kept the engine composed under sustained high-speed running and hard cornering alike. Carbon ceramic C-BRAKE rotors, with eight-piston calipers at the front axle and four-piston calipers at the rear, provided stopping power to match the engine's output, all riding on 19-inch turbine-style alloy wheels finished with the Mercedes-Benz star and laurel at each hub. An adjustable rear airbrake integrated into the trunk lid and a full-width rear diffuser rounded out an aerodynamic package developed with competition rigor rather than styling alone.

This SLR was specified new in Crystal Laurite Silver Metallic, one of two specially developed paint finishes offered on the SLR's deep structure, lending the bodywork a three-dimensional quality under direct light. The exterior is paired with a Black Grand Nappa leather interior, specified with the "XL" seats for added comfort for both the driver and passenger. According to the CARFAX Vehicle History Report, it was first registered in Nevada in July 2006 and remained with its original owner until 2012, after which it passed through subsequent owners based in Missouri and Colorado before being acquired by its current, California based owner in late 2024. As invoiced by Fletcher Jones Motorcars of Newport Beach, California on 27 November 2024, the SLR received an engine oil change along with a new alternator, air brake position control module, alarm signal siren, and key, at a total cost of $15,000. It presents today in remarkable condition, showing just 13,476 miles from new at cataloging.

A rare and largely unimproved example of one of the most ambitious collaborations in modern automotive history, this SLR McLaren combines the engineering pedigree of two storied marques and presents in splendid condition. For anyone seeking a twenty-first century Silver Arrow built without compromise, this example represents a compelling opportunity.